Anyone carry a Judge?

[Kahrslinger]

I'm thinking that I want a Taurus Judge for my everyday carry., it would replace my CW45 which I LOVE.. Just don't know to much about the judge, is a 410 a good choice for public self defense,, bystanders and all.. I know it's .45long as well but wanting it more for the 410.. Any feedback?

[7shot]

Seems I read somewhere that the .410 Judge round was not very accurate. The BB count on targets was low. I don't remember the distance of the targets though.

[Barth]

If you go with one.
I'm a Winchester man at heart.
PDX1 410 - STOP THE THREAT
http://www.winchester.com/Products/New-Products/Pages/pdx1-410.aspx
http://www.northwestshootersupply.com/images/products/detail/SS70895.jpghttp://www.winchester.com/SiteCollectionImages/new-products/detail/NPD_PDX1_410.jpg

[jeepster09]

I had one and had a Thompson Contender choke installed, very accurite......cept' being it was a Taurus....it had horrible trigger and many light strikes. GOT RID OF IT.

[Tinman507]

I'm seriously considering one as a SHTF home gun for my wife.
Over penetration is a concern with other methods.

[QuercusMax]

I carry a gun because I can't actually carry a judge. And even if I could, it probably take him a long time to come to the wrong answer.

[Tinman507]

Imagine carrying one just to find out he's from the 9th Circuit? How much would that suck?

[jeepster09]

Ya but don't you want a gun that actually fires when the trigger is pulled....get a S&W Governor.

[Barth]

I carry a gun because I can't actually carry a judge. And even if I could, it probably take him a long time to come to the wrong answer.

Well the ()*&)(& is blindfolded anyway right???

[jocko]

Seems I read somewhere that the .410 Judge round was not very accurate. The BB count on targets was low. I don't remember the distance of the targets though.

read 7-10 yards, it does its job well. plenty good for home protection and close up stuff.

IfI was to buy one it wold be the 3" version. just alittle more of everything than the 2.5", although they have done wonders now with the 2.5" 410 thanks to Taurus and the Judge.

Other than MO it is a bog sob to carry, it should be a good home gun. should be good fro a woman to, as she is just gonna point the damn gun and pullt he trgger. chances are she might hit sumpin with some of the 410 rounds. BG sure ain't gonna know any difference, and I am sure the report of the gun going off would wake up the dead to.

Do they make the govoner in 3" or just 2.5" model. I think I would trust the Smith to go bang every time, but I have never owned either of them.:behindsofa:

I still have two boxes of SB 410 3" 00 bucks (5 pellets), that I bought about 3 years ago in anticipation of someday owning one, but so far I just have not made the plunge either. Just sayin

[jeepster09]

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv276/jeepster09/IMG_0579.jpg

[jeepster09]

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv276/jeepster09/IMG_0491.jpg

[jocko]

big difference in price of the taurus 3" udge $499 and the Smith Govoner 2.5"
$699.

If I wasto buy , it would be a home gun only so I would go for the Taurus in as much as I do want a 3" and the price seems so much better than the Smith.

[jeepster09]

big difference in price of the taurus 3" udge $499 and the Smith Govoner 2.5"
$699.

If I wasto buy , it would be a home gun only so I would go for the Taurus in as much as I do want a 3" and the price seems so much better than the Smith.

You get what you pay for.....I like mine to go bang EVERYTIME :behindsofa:

[Mr. S]

I did get a chance to shoot one and it was fun to shoot.
However I wouldn't personally use one for defense as I dont believe .410 is a good defensive round,especially in a pistol with a 3" barrel.

I found this interesting.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot53.htm

[Tinman507]

Great article on the Judge.
Now, if a longer barrel is better for velocity would the 6.5" Taurus be better for a home SHTF gun?

[tv_racin_fan]

Seems I read somewhere that the .410 Judge round was not very accurate. The BB count on targets was low. I don't remember the distance of the targets though.

The BB count is LOW to start with, who were these people, what were they expecting?

Let me give my take. I LIKE THE JUDGE and I aint even shot one.

I like the idea of it and wish they had one in 20 guage...

The 410 shells wont be effective for much range at all. BUT up close it would be pretty devastatin in my mind.

SO if I was a Cabby I might have a judge.

I do not like the looks, they cylinder just does not look right. On a rifle YEAH BUDDY but not in a handgun.

I'd have to handload some brass shells. I can handle that part but wonder about using reloads for self defence. Am I gonna use low flash powder and not leave powder burns? Or am I gonna burn his face 15 feet away..

I carry a small revolver or a Kahr K9. They will do the same job and better at range by far.

I suppose poppin targets with a 45colt at 100 yards is fun tho. Someone I know of did that with lots of witnesseses.

[Planedude]

In looking at the issue of 2 1/2 vs. 3 in shells of the .410 type I see alot of over thinking.
Example, the standard Winchester AA .410 skeet shell is 1/2oz of #8 shot at 1300fps (from a 26in bbl).
1/2oz of shot is 218grns and out of a 3in bbl Judge expect 950 to 1150 fps. Compairs pretty well to your 115grn 9mm loading in a CM9...
Dedicated SD rounds for these .410 bore revolver will no doubt be better in terms of muzzle flash and they are impressive on paper targets (I cut my Zombie-Osama target clean in two with five rounds of PDX ammo...) not sure they would stop a meth-hopped-stalker intent on harming you at 2am, but it will send a regular BG on his way, no problem.
A 3in shell... not alot more bang for the same buck, but if you need more stopping power than a 2 1/2 shell, load some 45colt up in it's place.

[muggsy]

I've never carried a Judge, but I've kept a lawyer on retainer. :)

[jocko]

In looking at the issue of 2 1/2 vs. 3 in shells of the .410 type I see alot of over thinking.
Example, the standard Winchester AA .410 skeet shell is 1/2oz of #8 shot at 1300fps (from a 26in bbl).
1/2oz of shot is 218grns and out of a 3in bbl Judge expect 950 to 1150 fps. Compairs pretty well to your 115grn 9mm loading in a CM9...
Dedicated SD rounds for these .410 bore revolver will no doubt be better in terms of muzzle flash and they are impressive on paper targets (I cut my Zombie-Osama target clean in two with five rounds of PDX ammo...) not sure they would stop a meth-hopped-stalker intent on harming you at 2am, but it will send a regular BG on his way, no problem.
A 3in shell... not alot more bang for the same buck, but if you need more stopping power than a 2 1/2 shell, load some 45colt up in it's place.

I have been told tha tu can shoot the 2.5" out of the 3" version. Is this true or not. unever ead one way or the utter. If so,my thoughts are I have more choices.. I would think with a 2.5" in a 3" chambert that the freebore might come into play here and that could be an issue, but again if the 45 long colt canfly out of the 3" chamber then maybe I am just full of it-=- as usual..Kinda beat u to it didn't I Bawanna) Just sayin

[TD2K]

I have the 2.5" Public Defender Judge. I like it. I keep it in my car as a "door gun", and also in the house for home protection. I've not once had a misfire. I've shot bird shot, 45 LC, and the self defense rounds with 000 buck and the little discs.

[Popeye]

No there are just to many better options for SD . If it works for you then go for it.
I've had people try to convince me a 20 Ga with #3 buck shot from a Mossberg crusier is not good for home defense so I can't imagine 410 being better.

[JohnR]

How about a Bond Arms?

[Popeye]

I have a friend who had a bond arms derringer, Just to have something different. He's like that sometimes. He shot about a dozen rounds out of it and traded it in for something else. I shot it and thought it was a total waste of money. As we used to say in the early 70's different strokes for different folks.

[jocko]

oh hell they still say that today Popeye. we kinda say here, j"whatever bend syour crank", but the same thing.

[wayne100]

I tried one at the range. It is heavy and big. It's a blast to shoot. I was using birdshot in it, thats all they had. It's REAL GOOD at 3 yards ok at 5 yards after that it really spreads out.

[jocko]

I still thinkit is an ideal home gun,problaby not a good carry gun..

[redneckrepairs]

I carry one in the pickup , and it goes on my belt with .410s when fixing fence , working on equipment grown under in weeds , ect.. to dispatch rattlesnakes . Other than that it gets used as a .45 colt to humanely kill the occasional cow or horse that steps in a prairie dog hole and breaks a leg . All and all its not a bad pistol , but since the .410 is only slightly better than no gun at all , and i have better formfactor pistols for defense mine at least will never get used in that role . Honestly i would carry a ruger .22 auto pistol for defense long before i carried a judge loaded with .410.

[Kahrslinger]

Thanks everyone,,, think I will just stick with my good ol cw45..

[jocko]

I carry one in the pickup , and it goes on my belt with .410s when fixing fence , working on equipment grown under in weeds , ect.. to dispatch rattlesnakes . Other than that it gets used as a .45 colt to humanely kill the occasional cow or horse that steps in a prairie dog hole and breaks a leg . All and all its not a bad pistol , but since the .410 is only slightly better than no gun at all , and i have better formfactor pistols for defense mine at least will never get used in that role . Honestly i would carry a ruger .22 auto pistol for defense long before i carried a judge loaded with .410.

what??? 9 shot, 6 shot. 00buck,, slug?? there is a difference u know..

[redneckrepairs]

what??? 9 shot, 6 shot. 00buck,, slug?? there is a difference u know..
Yes i do know thus my statement .

[DKD]

I got a 3" Barreled Judge 2 1/2" for my wife two years ago for Christmass. It was pleasant to shoot and the 45 colt jacketed hollow points shot to point of aim at 7 yards. I put a spring kit in it for my wife to lighten the double action and it shoots quite accuratley with 45 colt loads. The buckshot and or disc loads do work at close ranges as that was the intension of the design.
It would work on a good gum belt on ones hip...don't think it would be the answer for a CCW.